Carroll to get new scoreboards and another concession stand
By Jennifer Archibald Staff writer

Educator award Carroll Superintendent John Sayers, left, presents a certificate to teacher Steve Keown at the Aug. 7 Carroll school board meeting. The certificate, along with a pin, was presented on behalf of the National Association of Agricultural Educators to recognize Keown as a 20-year Ag educator. Comet photo by Jennifer Archibald

Carroll School Board awarded the contract to build a concession stand at the softball/baseball/soccer complex to John Kinzie Construction.

Superintendent John Sayers said there were two comparable quotes for the job, both from local contractors. The board accepted Kinzie's quote of $91,584 at a regular board meeting Aug. 7. The other quote was from Richardson & Son, for $91,640.

New athletic director Shaun Rose requested the purchase of three new wireless scoreboards and clocks - for the football field and for the baseball and softball diamonds. Total cost will be $23,387. Sayers said sponsorships of the signs could help defray the cost. The request for the purchase was approved.

Also approved was roof repair work at the elementary school at a cost of $14,815.18. Tremco will do the work, and it will be paid out of the Capital Projects Fund.

Cougarettes dance team requested three fundraising events, and two were approved - a dance clinic and a dance after the Delphi football game. A request to have a lemon shake-up stand at home football games was denied.

Beth Moore was hired as fifth grade language arts teacher.

Sarah Kirkman will be the new varsity volleyball coach. Other volleyball coaches are Jessica Huffer, junior varsity, and Tom Hedde, seventh grade. The volleyball program still needs an eighth grade coach.

Other coaching assignments approved were: Steve Keown, varsity baseball; Tom Hedde, boys' varsity golf; Chad Myers, varsity softball; Jerry Reinke, varsity girls' tennis; and Mike Miller, varsity track.

Two other extracurricular positions approved were Malinda Blocher, elementary yearbook, and Kellie Strong, elementary student council.

Sayers announced the resignation of two bus drivers, Ed Spraker and Jim Allbaugh.

He also noted that this year, Carroll kids will be transported to Logansport, Monticello, Delphi, and Camden, in addition to the local routes.

The board approved a revised Student Athletic Handbook following a discussion on lettering in the different sports.

Sayers said there is no perfect system for lettering.

"It varies among sports and among schools and with respect to male and female, but this (new handbook) is a step in the right direction," he said. "Students need to know how they letter in a sport."

AD Rose said every athlete will get a copy of the handbook. When a final copy is available, it also will be posted on the corporation website.

A cash tuition request from Chuck and Samantha Prater for their daughter, Heather, was approved.

The board also OK'd a request from Carroll Youth Football (grades 3-6) to use the high school football field for games in August, September, and October.

Sayers reported that the new dugouts and press box are practically finished, new kitchen equipment has been installed in the junior-senior high kitchen and a new stainless steel table at the elementary, the roofing project is done, and parking lot work in continuing.

He also reported that a school freezer got warm, resulting in some food spoilage. He added that it will be a couple of months before the parking lot at the Administration Building is paved because the contract for the work was cancelled, and a new contractor will be hired.

The board approved a list of equipment to be declared surplus because the items are no longer needed or don't work. Although most of the items will just be disposed of, there are 95 student desks that the board may find a home for.

The next board meeting will be Aug. 21 at 7:30 p.m. in the Administration Building.